What a Relief! The Home Buyer Tax Credit is Extended

Whether you are for or against the tax credits created by our Congress and President Obama trying to recover our housing industry, you could hear a huge sigh of relief from professionals in the mortgage, escrow and real estate industry on Friday when President Obama signed the extension for the first time home buyer tax credit which was set to expire at the end of this month.

If you've been reading my posts for the last few months, you know I've been trying to warn potential home buyers eying that credit of what a short month November is for closing real estate transactions–with or without the tax credit. The November 30th deadline did spur on some last minute transactions for first time home buyers. Many mortgage companies issued memo's to borrowers regarding the tax credit stating they would not be held liable in the event the transaction did not close in time. Now, if the transaction closes on December 1, and the borrower qualifies for the credit, the home buyer won't be robbed of the credit…which could be up to $8,000. Whew!

Speaking of relief, check out this vintage Alka Seltzer commerical singing about passing bills in Congress.

Not only was the first time home buyer tax credit extended to April 30, 2010, Congress added a tax credit for existing "long time residents" (defined as owning a home during the last 5 out of 8 years) buying another home of up to $6500. In addition, income limits for the tax credits have been dramatically increased.

I will be providing more details soon about both of these tax credits for home buyers at Mortgage Porter soon!

About the Author

Rhonda Porter is a Licensed Mortgage Originator MLO121324 living in the greater Seattle area. Rhonda began her career in 1986 in the title and escrow industry and joined Mortgage Master Service Corporation as a Loan Officer in 2000 and began blogging in 2006. Read More…

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Rhonda has been helping people with their mortgage needs at Mortgage Master since April 2000. If you are buying or refinancing a home in WA, she's happy to help you! Mortgage Master Service Corporation's NMLS ID is #40445.